Walk past and you might miss it, but inside A Yarn Story, threads connect continents. Owner Carmen Schmidt tells Hannah Poon how loops and stitches wove her into a global community – just when she needed it most. Above: Photograph of Carmen Schmidt by Nina Mucalov. All other images by Alex Lloyd Jenkins
Some hobbies pass the time. Others can change your life. For Carmen Schmidt, owner of A Yarn Story, knitting did exactly that – pulling her out of isolation and into a career she never could have predicted. But while she now owns a successful shop on Walcot Street and hosts knitting retreats at The Royal Crescent Hotel, Carmen started her career as an athlete in her home state of Oregon. It was only when she found herself living in rural Ireland in her early 30s that she picked up a pair of needles again.
“I’d moved to Ireland with my boyfriend at the time. I had no friends, no job, no life,” Carmen says. “My mum was visiting from the States when we popped into a yarn shop in Dublin. I was just perusing the shelves when I spotted a scarf pattern I quite liked. I hadn’t knit in seven or eight years at this point, but I figured it was better than watching television at home.”
It was here, Carmen admits, that her obsession began. “I’d hang out at the shop for hours,”she muses – a distinct tone in her voice that suggests she’s been transported back in time. Carmen had been living in Ireland for a year, and says she felt “rejected” from the community. She’d moved across the globe, but instead of adventure, she found herself secluded and alone. That was, until she walked into that shop.
“I’m a super social person – a real extrovert. I found myself in a position where I didn’t know anyone, but knitting changed everything. Even back then, there was a big online community.”
The move to Bath
In 2013, Carmen moved to the city – a move that changed the trajectory of her life in many ways.
“One day, after getting another job rejection, I decided I’d had enough. I was 33 and needed a way to make money. I decided there and then I was going to open my own yarn shop. I wanted to create a hub where knitters could go to browse and connect. I wanted people to feel a part of something.”
And in November 2014, A Yarn Story was born. While the name may roll off the tongue, it was carefully chosen to reflect Carmen’s own relationship with the craft.
“Knitting is there through the most important chapters of life. A grandmother knitting a blanket for her new grandchild, a jumper for a friend going through chemo or a beautiful shawl for a wedding day. We stitch stories and we tell them through the things we make,” she says, proudly. “Knitting has been there throughout the happiest moments of my life, and the hardest.”
Unaware of how quickly her business would grow, Carmen found herself relocating to Walcot Street just six months later. She didn’t just want to create a shop – she wanted to create a community. A word, she admits, that is littered all over her original business plan. She wanted a space where everyone was welcome to share their passion for knitting and yarn.
“I started running classes when the shop was quiet. I’d bring in designers and soon began attracting more knitters. Now, I run Knit Nights and Sip and Stitch where we enjoy a glass of wine. It’s an opportunity for us to come together for conversation and company. That’s all I ever wanted.”
Stitch by stitch
Knitting has regularly been praised for its mental health benefits as it promotes mindfulness and a sense of accomplishment. And in 2026, it seems everyone is looking for ways to disconnect.
Analogue hobbies are – rather ironically – taking the internet by storm, and knitting seems, on the surface at least, to be attracting a younger demographic. But Carmen doesn’t quite agree. “Young people have always knit; they just grow into old people who knit. It’s not so much that young people are suddenly interested in knitting, it’s just more public. Young people are now sharing their love of ‘granny hobbies’ with the world.”
From social media knitathons to Olympic podiums, knitting’s visibility is hard to ignore. At this year’s Winter Games, US gold medallist Breezy Johnson made headlines not just for her skiing, but for knitting a new headband before every race – a ritual she credits with keeping her calm under pressure.
“Knitting is the ultimate analogue hobby. There’s no doomscrolling, it’s quietly nourishing. If nothing else, it’s stitch by stitch. You can’t rush it; there’s no hack to making it go faster. It’s about as zen and mindful as you can be. Making something tangible with your hands is ➲ incredibly powerful. There’s nothing better than getting a compliment and knowing you made it. That feeling doesn’t get old,” she says. However, Carmen knows all too well that it’s more than just a relaxing hobby; it’s an outlet to pour creativity, grief and joy.
In 2024, research from the University of Gothenburg found that knitting has significant benefits on mental health and wellbeing. The repetitive, rhythmic motion of knitting has been shown to reduce cortisol levels while boosting serotonin and dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemicals.“It calms the mind, steadies me on harder days and gives me space to work through the bigger things life throws,” Carmen admits.
Whether it’s a striking green jumper or a bright blue scarf, Carmen says she finds pure joy in unleashing her creativity. At 6ft 1in, her wardrobe benefits from the handmade garments, too.
A real treat
As well as workshops, Carmen hosts knitting retreats in Bath and beyond. Once a year, knitters from all over the globe take over The Royal Crescent hotel for a week of relaxation and connection; no packed itineraries, no agenda. Just people who love yarn, in the same room.
“It’s a place to be with other knitters and nerd out about our craft. It’s beautiful. Knitters come from all over the world and forge friendships,” she says. “I’m currently planning a summer camp in Massachusetts and I’m super excited to bring everyone together.”
It’s a long way from the loneliness she felt in rural Ireland and a scarf pattern picked up on a whim. But that’s the thing about knitting. You start with a simple stitch and don’t always know where it is going to take you. “The world would be a better place if everyone knit just one jumper a year,” Carmen smiles.
Hearing her say it, it’s difficult not to believe her.
To find out more about Carmen’s upcoming summer camp, visit: eventsunwound.com or ayarnstory.co.uk
You can also listen to the A Yarn Story podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.